Rs dealt blow in build-up to key Championship clash with Barnsley

Brent & Kilburn Times: Queens Park Rangers' Jamie Mackie (left) is still six weeks away from a return after having surgery on a ruptured disc in his back (pic: Adam Davy/PA)Queens Park Rangers' Jamie Mackie (left) is still six weeks away from a return after having surgery on a ruptured disc in his back (pic: Adam Davy/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Queens Park Rangers’ preparations for the crunch Championship clash at home to Barnsley on Saturday have been rocked by the news that midfielder David Wheeler is set to miss the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old, a summer signing from League Two outfit Exeter City, has undergone surgery on an ankle injury.

Wheeler has made just nine league appearances since his move to Loftus Road, and looks unlikely to add to that tally before the end of the term.

“There are some loose fragments which have come off the bone and he had surgery on Monday to tidy that up,” head physio Matt May told the club website.

“The recovery time for this is approximately three months so it will be touch-and-go whether he is able to play again this season unfortunately.”

Cult hero Jamie Mackie is another who has spent time on the sidelines recently having undergone surgery on a ruptured disc in his back.

The prognosis for the Scotland international is better than Wheeler’s, though May revealed it could be some time yet before the 32-year-old is back playing.

“Jamie is always chasing things down and cutting timelines, but he is looking at approximately six more weeks from this point,” added the head physio.

There was better news for young starlet Paul Smyth, who marked his debut last month with the winner against Cardiff City in the league.

However, the 20-year-old has been out with a minor quad strain, but while the clash with the Tykes may come too soon, May says Smyth will be back in the near future.

“Paul has been stepping up his functional rehab, and is looking to be back in training by the end of this week,” said May.

The Rs will want to return to winning ways when they host Barnsley on Saturday after a disappointing defeat at Bristol City last weekend.

Ian Holloway’s men suffered a 2-0 loss against the Robins, who spent much of the game with 10 men after Nathan Baker was dismissed for a bad challenge on Josh Scowen in the first half.

When the west Londoners made the trip to Yorkshire earlier in the season, they needed a late Luke Freeman strike to rescue a point at Oakwell.

In the reverse game this Saturday, they will hope to avoid the need for similar heroics.